Broncos’ updated 17-player practice squad after roster moves

Michael Burton up, Keidron Smith down. Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated practice squad.

The Denver Broncos made a change to their practice squad this week.

The first domino fell on Tuesday when the Broncos waived safety Keidron Smith from the active roster. Denver then promoted fullback Michael Burton from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.

After he cleared waivers, Smith re-joined the team on the practice squad on Thursday. Burton and Smith essentially swapped places this week.

The NFL’s standard practice squad size limit is 16 players, but there’s an exception that allows an extra international player to not count against the limit. For Denver, Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin is an exception, giving the Broncos a 17-player practice squad.

So here’s the full list of 17 players on the squad after the recent moves.

Broncos 17-player practice squad

  1. RB Blake Watson
  2. WR Michael Bandy
  3. WR David Sills
  4. WR A.T. Perry
  5. TE Donald Parham
  6. TE Thomas Yassmin
  7. OT Cam Fleming
  8. OL Nick Garguilo
  9. DT Jordan Miller
  10. DL Matt Henningsen
  11. OLB Andrew Farmer
  12. LB Kwon Alexander
  13. LB Zach Cunningham
  14. CB Reese Taylor
  15. DB Quinton Newsome
  16. DB Tanner McCalister
  17. DB Keidron Smith 

Two players can be elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week.

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Broncos could get reinforcements from injured reserve this week

The Broncos have two players eligible to return from injured reserve and two players eligible to return from the PUP list.

Denver Broncos center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) returned from injured reserve last week and immediately returned to the team’s starting lineup. More reinforcements could be on the way this week.

Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) and running back Tyler Badie (back) are both eligible to return from IR, and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) are eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list.

Turner-Yell returned to practice two weeks ago and Sanders returned to practice last week. Once an IR or PUP player returns to practice, they have a 21-day window to be activated to the 53-man roster.

We’ll see if Denver activates anyone ahead of Week 11.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. LB Drew Sanders: Eligible to return since Week 5
  2. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: Eligible to return since Week 5
  3. RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return since Week 9
  4. WR Josh Reynolds: Eligible to return since Week 10

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending injured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

Denver linebacker Kwon Alexander and fullback Michael Burton are also out of practice squad elevations, and they seem likely to end up back on the 53-man roster at some point this season. The Broncos will have to make some tough decisions to make room for returning players in the coming weeks.

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Predicting 14 roster moves Broncos could make in second half of season

The Broncos have seven players who could be returning to the 53-man roster soon. Here’s how they could make room for them.

The Denver Broncos could be getting a flurry of reinforcements in the coming weeks.

Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) are now eligible to return from injured reserve, safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) returned to practice last week and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) is “close to returning.” His timeline is uncertain, but running back Tyler Badie (back) is also eligible to return from IR.

Meanwhile, linebacker Kwon Alexander is out of practice squad elevations and coach Sean Payton hinted last week that Alexander will eventually end up on the 53-man roster. Denver also bumped fullback Michael Burton down to the practice squad last week. Burton can be elevated one more time. After that, he will likely be a candidate to return to the active roster as well.

Reynolds, Alexander and Wattenberg are presumably candidates to all return to the 53-man roster this week. Sanders, Burton, Turner-Yell and Badie might also return at some point in the future.

The Broncos don’t have to make room for all of them right away — new injuries could open spots in the coming weeks — but the team will have to make some roster decisions, soon.

Denver opened up one spot by trading outside linebacker Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. The Broncos could open another spot by bumping offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton down to the practice squad.

Denver could open three more spots if they traded tight end Greg Dulcich, cornerback Damarri Mathis and quarterback Zach Wilson ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. If they aren’t traded, Dulcich and Mathis might be candidates to attempt to get down to the practice squad. And given Payton’s recent frustrations with the team’s receivers, even Lil’Jordan Humphrey could be in danger of losing his spot on the active roster.

So with as many as seven players potentially returning to the active roster in the second half of the season, here are predictions on how the Broncos could make room for them. Keep in mind that these are projections — this is not a report of what the team will do. Rather, it’s a projection of what the team could do.

  1. WR Josh Reynolds activated from IR
  2. OLB Baron Browning traded (confirmed)
  3. C Luke Wattenberg activated from IR
  4. OL Calvin Throckmorton cut from 53
  5. LB Kwon Alexander promoted to 53
  6. TE Greg Dulcich traded or cut
  7. LB Drew Sanders activated from PUP
  8. CB Damarri Mathis traded or cut
  9. FB Michael Burton activated to 53
  10. QB Zach Wilson traded
  11. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell activated from IR
  12. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey demoted to PS
  13. RB Tyler Badie activated from IR
  14. Future player placed on IR

Denver seems likely to make at least a few moves this week. Stay tuned.

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ESPN suggests Broncos could trade for pass-catching running back

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes the Broncos could target a pass-catching running back ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

The Denver Broncos traded pass rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, and more moves could be on the way.

Broncos backup quarterback Zach Wilson and tight end Greg Dulcich will be names to watch leading up to the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Denver could also add a player ahead of the deadline.

“It wouldn’t shock to see the Broncos comb the market for a pass-catching running back,” Fowler wrote on ESPN.com. “Coach Sean Payton has always coveted those change-of-pace backs, which harks back to the Darren Sproles days.”

The idea of Payton wanting a receiving back is certainly plausible, but it’s hard to imagine there being room for another RB in Denver’s offense. Payton has repeatedly said this season that it’s hard to feature more than two RBs.

Javonte Williams remains the team’s workhorse back and Jaleel McLaughlin has been the change-of-pace back. Audric Estime got a career-high five carries on Sunday and Tyler Badie could return from a back injury at some point this season.

If Payton does bring in a running back, he might have to ship out a current RB to make room. We’ll track any potential moves on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos RB Tyler Badie eligible to return from IR this week

Broncos running back Tyler Badie (back) is eligible to return from injured reserve this week.

After spending the last four weeks on injured reserve, Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie (back) is eligible to return this week.

Badie (5-8, 197 pounds) was placed on IR earlier this month after he suffered a scary back injury against the New York Jets in Week 4. It’s unclear if he’ll need more time to recover, but his window to return is now open.

Once the running back returns to practice, the Broncos will have 21 days to active him to the 53-man roster. If Badie is not activated within three weeks after returning to practice, he will spend the rest of the season on IR.

Badie, 24, rushed 11 times for 86 yards and hauled in three receptions for negative two yards in three games before injuring his back.

Denver currently has Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime on the active roster and Blake Watson on the practice squad. Badie will likely compete for the RB3 role once he returns from the injury.

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Broncos’ updated 17-player practice squad after roster moves

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated 17-player practice squad following a flurry of roster moves last week.

The Denver Broncos made a flurry of roster moves last week, including multiple changes to the practice squad.

The Broncos cut defensive back Tanner McCalister and running back Blake Watson from the active roster and signed them to the practice squad. To make room for McCalister and Watson, Denver cut center Dieter Eiselen and receiver Kaden Davis from the practice squad.

Following those transactions, the practice squad is full.

The NFL’s standard practice squad size limit is 16 players, but there’s an exception that allows an extra international player to not count against the limit. For Denver, Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin is an exception, giving the Broncos a 17-player practice squad.

So here’s the full list of 17 players on the squad after the recent moves.

Broncos 17-player practice squad

  1. RB Blake Watson
  2. WR Michael Bandy
  3. WR David Sills
  4. WR A.T. Perry
  5. TE Donald Parham
  6. TE Thomas Yassmin
  7. OT Cam Fleming
  8. OL Nick Garguilo
  9. OL Calvin Throckmorton
  10. DT Jordan Miller
  11. DL Matt Henningsen
  12. OLB Andrew Farmer
  13. LB Kwon Alexander
  14. LB Zach Cunningham (pictured)
  15. CB Reese Taylor
  16. DB Quinton Newsome
  17. DB Tanner McCalister

Two players can be elevated from the practice squad each week.

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Broncos could have a few players return from injuries this week

Broncos CB Pat Surtain will be two weeks removed from his concussion when Denver hosts the Panthers in Week 8.

The Denver Broncos could get reinforcements on the injury front this week following their mini bye after playing on Thursday Night Football in Week 7.

The biggest name to watch will be cornerback Pat Surtain, who suffered a concussion against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 13 and wasn’t cleared in time to play against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 17.

The Broncos will be a full two weeks removed from when Surtain suffered the injury when they host the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 27 in Week 8, so the cornerback presumably has a good chance to return in time for that game.

Elsewhere on the injury front, right tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) will be three weeks removed from his initial injury when the Broncos take on the Panthers. There’s no rush to get Palczewski back on the field because Mike McGlinchey is now healthy again, but Denver’s offensive line will get a nice depth boost when “Palco” is cleared to play again.

Next week, Broncos running back running back Tyler Badie (back) will be eligible to return from injury reserve, and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) can return in Week 10.

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Broncos now have 7 players on injured reserve or PUP list

Going into Week 8, the Broncos have 5 players on injured reserve and 2 players on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

After activating three players from injured reserve last week, the Denver Broncos still have seven players on IR or physically unable to perform lists going into week 8. Five of those players will be eligible to return later this season.

Broncos running back Tyler Badie (back) will be eligible to return in Week 9, and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) can return in Week 10.

Denver linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) have been eligible to return from the PUP list since Week 5, but they apparently still need more time to recover.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. LB Drew Sanders: Eligible to return since Week 5
  2. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: Eligible to return since Week 5
  3. RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return Week 9
  4. WR Josh Reynolds: Eligible to return Week 10
  5. C Luke Wattenberg: Eligible to return Week 10

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending injured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

If healthy, Badie could return after Denver hosts the Carolina Panthers next Sunday.

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Broncos could have multiple players return from injured reserve this week

The bad news: Broncos have a short week. Good news: Denver has several players eligible to return from injured reserve ahead of TNF.

Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime (ankle) returned from injured reserve last week and more reinforcements could be on the way this week.

The Broncos will have a short week ahead of a Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints, but the list of players eligible to return from IR ahead of Week 7 includes right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL), outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle).

If healthy, McGlinchey will immediately return to starting at right tackle. Mathis could be returning just in time to provide more depth at cornerback after star Pat Surtain suffered a concussion on Sunday.

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) have been eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list since Week 5, but they might need more time to recover.

Denver running back Tyler Badie (back) will be eligible to return in Week 9. Center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) are eligible to return in Week 10.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. CB Damarri Mathis: Eligible to return since Week 5
  2. LB Drew Sanders: Eligible to return since Week 5
  3. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: Eligible to return since Week 5
  4. OT Mike McGlinchey: Eligible to return Week 7
  5. OLB Baron Browning: Eligible to return Week 7
  6.  RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return Week 9
  7. WR Josh Reynolds: Eligible to return Week 10
  8. C Luke Wattenberg: Eligible to return Week 10

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending inured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

Denver will have two light practices leading up to TNF this week.

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Broncos now have 10 players on injured reserve or PUP list

Going into Week 6, the Broncos have 8 players on injured reserve and 2 players on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

The Denver Broncos have ten players on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list going into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Eight of those players will be eligible to return later this season.

Denver activated running back Audric Estime (ankle) from IR to the 53-man roster on Saturday and placed center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) on IR. Wattenberg and Reynolds can return in Week 10.

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) have been eligible to return from the PUP list since Week 5, but they still need more time to recover.

Denver cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) is also eligible to return from IR but wasn’t activated this week.

Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) can return in Week 7. Denver running back Tyler Badie (back) will be eligible to return in Week 9.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. CB Damarri Mathis: Eligible to return since Week 5
  2. LB Drew Sanders: Eligible to return since Week 5
  3. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: Eligible to return since Week 5
  4. OT Mike McGlinchey: Eligible to return Week 7
  5. OLB Baron Browning: Eligible to return Week 7
  6.  RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return Week 9
  7. WR Josh Reynolds: Eligible to return Week 10
  8. C Luke Wattenberg: Eligible to return Week 10

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending inured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

If healthy, McGlinchey can be activated in time for the team’s Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.

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